Ventilating system

ABSTRACT

A low profile ventilating system for drawing air laden with grease, moisture, smoke, fumes, vapors and the like from above cooking equipment in kitchen areas. The system is floor mounted or free standing on the floor, and the top serves as a counter or shelf whereby the system serves not only a ventilating function but also increases available working area. The system includes a vertically oriented, upstanding housing, a hood member for collecting air for passage through the housing, the hood coacting with the housing to form a counter top, a baffled entry chamber with water spray means therein within the upper portion of the housing for reception of air from the hood member, an expansion chamber communicating with the entry chamber to slow movement of the air, and an exhaust duct communicating with the expansion chamber.

United States Patent [191 King [ Nov. 19, 1974 VENTILATING SYSTEM [75] Inventor:

[73] Assignee: Industrial Industries, Inc., Houston,

Tex.

[22] Filed: May 31, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 365,563

Roy R. King, Houston, Tex.

[52] US. Cl 98/115 K, 55/240, 55/442,

Primary Examiner-Meyer Perlin Assistant Examiner-Ronald C. Capossela Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Fulbright & Crooker [5 7] ABSTRACT A low profile ventilating system for drawing air laden with grease, moisture, smoke, fumes, vapors and the like from above cooking equipment in kitchen areas. The system is floor mounted or free standing on the floor, and the top serves as a counter or shelf whereby the system serves not only a ventilating function but also increases available working area. The system includes a vertically oriented, upstanding housing, a hood member for collecting air for passage through the housing, the hood coacting with the housing to form a counter top, a baffled entry chamber with water spray means therein within the upper portion of the housing for reception of air from the hood member, an expansion chamber communicating with the entry chamber to slow movement of the air, and an exhaust duct communicating with the expansion chamber.

7 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEL NOV 1 91974 sum 3 or 3 VENTILATING SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention constitutes an improvement over the wall or ceiling mounted type of ventilating system as disclosed in United States patent application Ser. No. 257,423 filed May 26, 1972 now US. Pat. No. 3,786,739 for Ventilating System by John David Wright and assigned to the assignee of the present invention and application. In the Wright invention, a ventilating system is suspended from a ceiling or attached to a wall for ventilation of cooking areas in kitchens particularly in restaurants and institutional food establishments. As disclosed in the portions of the Wright application relating to background and summary of the invention, grease-type materials entrained in exhaust air above cooking apparatus presents both sanitary and tire problems and must be removed from the air for reasons explained in the Wright application, which is incorporated by reference herein. The improvement of the present invention likewise is directed to removal of grease-type particles from above cooking ranges and the like.

It would be advantageous in commercial as well as domestic kitchens to position stoves, ranges and ovens such that minimal efforts are required by attending personnel in not only carrying out cooking functions but also to serve or assist in serving culinary preparations. Thus, it would be beneficial to position cooking apparatus particularly in the so-called fast food operations such that handling requirements are reduced thereby minimizing labor to at the same time increase efficiency. Heretofore, cooking ranges and stoves have customarily been placed against walls or, in any event, positioned such that cooking vapors and exhaust materials are removed through ventilating systems secured either to walls or to the ceiling. In this conventional arrangement, counters or shelves necessary for placement of food, cooking apparatus and utensils are to the side or rearward of the operating personnel which requires extra handling motions. It would be highly advantageous to reduce these motions, to provide a ventilating system whereby ranges and other cooking equipment may be placed in more desirable and convenient locations, and to remove exhaust materials from above cooking apparatus in such a manner as would improve both functionally and esthetically routine food preparation and handling procedures. The present invention is directed to a ventilating system providing these advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to an upstanding, floor mounted ventilating system for use above cooking equipment having a low profile such that the top of the system forms a counter or shelf. At the same time, the system water-cools hot exhaust air to a point at which grease particles condense and are extracted by water spray. The exhaust air moves in a tortuous path in an entry chamber within a housing in which water spray contacts the exhaust air for extraction purposes. The air then moves into an expansion chamber wherein velocity of the air is reduced so that it cannot support water droplets. To accomplish such function, the expansion chamber is larger than the entry chamber so that the air expands and is slowed for removal of moisture to prevent water from being carried to duct systems. A damper device is provided in an exhaust duct communicating with the expansion chamber to seal the exhaust duct should a rise in temperature to an elevated level be experienced due to fire. Movement of air through the system is accomplished by provision of a suction fan downstream of the exhaust duct. Thus, the ventilating system accomplishes the desired results of removing grease and the like from cooking vapors and also provides a counter top or shelf to facilitate food handling procedures and at the same time allow the ventilating system and cooking equipment combination to be positioned in the most desirable location.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a low profile ventilating system in which exhaust air is water-cooled to extractingly remove grease and other matter from an atmosphere above cooking equipment before the air is ducted to an exhaust outlet.

Still a further object of the present invention is the provision of such a system having the advantage of positive fire preclusion by means of constant water spray as well as damper means forming a positive closure upon rise of temperature of air within the system in order to confine combustion and eliminate same by means of the water spray.

Yet a further object of the present invention is the provision of a ventilating system having the advantages stated in addition to an integral self-cleaning means whereby wash liquid is periodically applied to surfaces of the system to remove any build-up of grease, smoke residue and the like.

Other and further objects, features and advantages will be apparent in the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, given for the purpose of disclosure and taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings forming a part of the disclosure herein, like character references designate like parts throughout the serveral views, wherein,

FIG. 1 is a partial elevational view in cross section showing the housing and interior arrangements of the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a partial front elevational view, partly in cross section, taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the system of the present invention,

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view, partly in cross section, taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3,

FIG. 5 is a partial plan view partly in cross section taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4,

FIG. 6 is a partial side view, partly in cross section, of the exhaust duct of the present invention taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 3, and

FIG. 7 is a partial side view, partly in cross section, showing detail of spray means according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference to FIG. 1 of the drawings, the ventilating system of the present invention is designated generally by the reference numeral 10. The system includes a vertically oriented, upstanding housing 12 that is adapted for bottom mounting to a floor such as by means of legs 14 secured to the housing 12 as shown in FIG. 4. Consequently, the housing 12 is free standing on the legs 14 or may be bolted or otherwise secured with or without legs to a floor or fixture as desired.

A hood member 16 is secured to the housing 12 such as by bolting, welding or other suitable means. The hood 16 has a top portion 18 that is substantially coplanar with the top portion 20 of the housing 12 thereby forming a counter or shelf. The top portion 18 of the hood I6 extends outwardly as shown in the drawing and also is provided with a side panel 22 as shown in FIG. I (a second side panel 22 also being shown in FIG. 4) such that the top and side panels of the hood collect air for passage through the housing 12. The top portion 20 of the housing preferably is constructed as shown in FIG. 1 whereby a panel 21 is removable for access to the interior of the system as needed.

Formed within the housing 12 is an entry chamber 24 within the upper portion of the housing adjacent the hood member 16 for reception of air from the hood. The entry chamber 24 is formed by means of an angular wall 26 having a port 28 that extends substantially the width of the housing 12 as is also shown in FIG. 4.

Within the entry chamber 24 are vertically oriented baffles extending substantially the width of the housing 12 to impart changes in flow pattern of the air passing therethrough. Thus, as shown in FIG. 1, the baffles include a first vertically oriented baffle 30 suspended from the upper portion of the entry chamber 24 (although it may be secured in any suitable manner within the housing 12) to direct air downwardly as it enters the entry chamber 24 through the port 28. In addition, a second vertically oriented baffle 32 that extends substantially the width of the housing 12 is parallel in vertical relation to the first baffle 30 and rises from the bottom portion of the chamber 24 as shown in the drawing. The baffle 32 likewise may be suitably secured within the housing 12 and is downstream of the first baffle 30 with respect to air flow to direct air upwardly and into the duct 34.

Other baffles preferably are provided including a vertically depending baffle 31 that shields spray nozzle equipment from incoming air to prevent pluggage of the nozzles by grease and the like. Another vertically depending baffle 33 is positioned in the upper rear portion of the entry chamber 24 to impart changes in flow pattern of the air in said chamber. Furthermore, the

- baffle 33 coacts with the top portion 20 of the housing to form a pocket to trap air and thereby collect grease, moisture and other particles entrained in the impinging an.

The duct 34 is formed both by the baffle 32 and the outer wall of the housing 12 as shown in FIG. I. Consequently. the duct 34 provides pneumatic communicating between the entry chamber 24 and an expansion chamber 36 within the lower portion of the housing 12. Air is received from the entry chamber 24, passes into the duct 34 and thence into the expansion chamber 36 where its movement is slowed so as to reduce the velocity of the air in order that it cannot support water droplets as will be explained hereafter. In order to accomplish the foregoing function, the expansion chamber 36 is constructed such that it has a greater volume than does the entry chamber 24.

As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, an exhaust duct 38 communicates with one end of the expansion chamber 36 to provide a means for removing air from the ventilating system as will be explained in more detail hereafter.

Referring once again to FIG. 1 and also the FIGS. 2 and 7, nozzle means are provided within the entry chamber 24 to impart water spray across substantially the width of the entry chamber 24 to extract greasetype materials entrained in air as it passes therethrough. In addition, nozzle means are disposed within the entry chamber 24 to impart a spray of wash liquid to the chamber and proximities thereof for periodic washing of the walls including the baffles of the chamber as well as the walls of the housing 12 exposed to the wash liquid nozzles. The nozzles that impart a spray of water to the entry chamber 24 are designated by the reference character 40, the nozzles being shown in a cut-away view in FIG. 2. Preferably, water emitted from the nozzles 40 is cold in the sense that it is top water or the like. Each of the nozzles 40 is connected to a cold water header 42 to which also is connected a cold water supply pipe 44. Thus, the cold water nozzles 40 emit a spray of water down across the baffle 30 and the spray pattern preferably envelopes as much of the entry chamber 24 as possible to extract material such as grease particles from exhaust air passing therethrough.

A plurality of wash liquid spray nozzles 46 are disposed within the entry chamber 24 to impart a spray of wash liquid to the entry chamber and proximities thereof. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 7, the wash liquid spray nozzles 46 are secured for liquid communication to a wash liquid header 48 to which wash liquid is supplied by a supply pipe 50. Thus, wash liquid can be sprayed into the entry chamber and proximities thereof at desired intervals during operation of the ventilating system of the present invention to wash and remove grease from walls and baffles thereof.

As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the downwardly curving portion of the wall 26 of the entry chamber forms a channel 52 to collect both water spray and wash liquid spray as well as grease-type material contained therein. As best shown in FIG. 1, channel 52 forms a sump 54 having a stand pipe 56 for removal of water, grease and other materials that collect in the sump S4. The stand pipe 56 may be connected to a sewer or other suitable disposal means, or may simply allow liquid to drop to a second sump 58 as shown in the drawings.

The second sump 58 is provided in the bottom of the expansion chamber 36 as is shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. A drain pipe 60 is provided for removal of water, grease and other materials that collect within the expansion chamber and is connected to a sewer or other suitable disposal means.

Referring now to FIGS. 3, 4 and 6, provided in the exhaust 38 is an exhaust port 62 located at the upper extremity of the exhaust duct 38 although it will be appreciated that the exhaust port 62 may be oriented in any similar manner with respect to the ventilating apparatus. Disposed within the exhaust duct 38 is a damper means for sealably closing the exhaust port 62 upon rise of temperature within the chamber. The damper means includes a damper plate 64 rotatably journalled about a pivot shaft 66 that in turn is secured or journalled to the walls of the exhaust duct 38. The damper plate 64 is adapted to engage a seat 68 formed of the walls of the exhaust port 38.

The damper means further includes a retention line 70 for maintaining the damper plate 64 normally in the open position relative to the exhaust port 62 as shown in FIG. 6. Thus, the retention line 70 is secured at one end to the wall of the exhaust duct 38 and at the other end to one end of the damper plate 64. Provided in the retention line 70 is a fusible link 72 that is adapted to melt at elevated temperatures to release the retention line 70 whereby the damper plate 64 may close to seal the exhaust port 62. The fusible link 72 may be formed of a suitable metal alloy composition to melt at temperatures preferably 160 F. or higher, depending on the alloy composition as may be selected by those skilled in the art. For purposes of this specification, a temperature of 160 F. or higher is considered an elevated temperature. If the link 72 fuses, the damper plate 64 moves to the position represented by reference character 64a by virtue of off-center mounting of the damper plate 64 to the shaft 66 whereby one end of the damper plate 64 exerts leverage to close the damper plate.

Not shown in any of the drawings is a suction fan mounted within duct work leading from the exhaust port 62. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that any suitable suction fan or blower may be utilized to provide a prime pneumatic motive source to pull exhaust air through the ventilating system of the present invention.

The spray water and wash water systems of the present invention may be operated and regulated by means as explained in the specification particularly with respect to FIG. 4 in U.S. application Ser. No. 257,423 now U.S. Pat. No. 3,786,739 ofJohn David Wright previously identified in this application and which is incorporated by reference herein. In any event, any suitable procedure for imparting spray water and wash liquid to the ventilating apparatus of the present invention may be used. I

In operation, the ventilating system of the present invention is positioned with respect to a cooking apparatus such that the hood 16 extends over and above at least a portion of the upper surface of the cooking apparatus. The exhaust port 62 is connected to suitable exhaust means having a suction fan that is actuated in order that air is pulled from above the cooking apparatus and is collected by the hood 16. As represented by unmarked arrows in FIG. 1, the air passes through the entry port 28 and into the entry chamber 24. The air is forced into a tortuous path in the entry chamber by virtue of the baffles 30 and 32 and contacts spray water emanating from the cold water nozzles 40. As a result, hot grease particles and the like are extracted by the cold water spray or otherwise collect on the surfaces of the walls of the entry chamber 24 and the walls of the baffles 30 and 32. The grease particles and cold water spray containing grease collect in the sump 54 and are removed by the standpipe 56 upon building up to a suitable level as indicated by the liquid level 74 in FIG. 1.

The air proceeds from the entry chamber 24 into the expansion chamber 36 by means of the duct 34. In the expansion chamber 36, movement of the air is slowed by virtue of the larger volume provided by the expansion chamber. With reduction in velocity of the air in the expansion chamber 36, the air is rendered less capable of supporting water droplets and thus moisture condenses and is collected in the sump 58 to be drawn off by the drain pipe 60 within the expansion chamber 36.

As indicated by unmarked arrows in FIG. 4, the air proceeds from the expansion chamber 36 into the exhaust duct 38 and out through the exhaust port 62. If, for any reason, ignition occurs within the ventilating system of the present invention, heat will fuse the link 72 shown in FIG. 6 whereby the damper plate 64 closes and seals the exhaust port 62 to contain fire within the ventilating apparatus of the present invention. Consequently, the fire will be extinguished by virtue of the cold water spray emanating from the spray nozzles 40. In addition, the wash liquid nozzles 46 may be actuated to impart additional liquid to the system for tire elimination purposes.

Thus provided is a ventilating system uniquely serving not only to exhaust air from a cooking area but also to provide a counter or shelf to faciliate food processing operations. In addition, the ventilating system of the present invention permits cooking apparatus to be located at any desirable point within a kitchen inasmuch as the ventilating system is not restricted to a location against a wall nor is it limited by any particular ceiling design as in conventional ventilating systems.

The present invention, therefore, is well adapted to carry out the objects and attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as others inherent therein. While a presently preferred embodiment of the invention has been given for the purpose of disclosure, numerous changes in the detail of construction and the combination, shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is: v

1. A ventilating system for drawing air from above cooking ranges and the like, comprising,

a. a vertically oriented, upstanding housing adapted for bottom mounting to a floor,

b. a hood member secured to the housing (a) for collecting air for passage through the housing (a), the top of the hood member being substantially coplanar with the top of the housing thereby forming a counter,

c. an entry chamber within the upper portion of the housing (a) adjacent the hood member (b) with a port for reception of air from the hood member (b), said chamber having 1. a plurality of vertically oriented baffles each extending substantially the width of the housing (a) to impart changes in flow pattern of the air,

ii. nozzle means within the chamber (0) for imparting a spray of water across substantially the width of said chamber to extract materials entrained in the air, and

iii. drain means in the chamber (c) for removing water and materials that collect in the bottom of said chamber,

d. an expansion chamber within the lower portion of the housing (a) to receive air from the entry chamber (c) and slow its movement, the chamber ((1) having greater volume than the chamber (c),

e. a duct providing pneumatic communication between the chambers (c) and (d), and

f. an air exhaust duct communicating with the expansion chamber.

2. The ventilating system of claim 1 including, additionally, second nozzle means disposed within the entry chamber (c) for imparting a spray of wash liquid to said chamber and proximities thereof.

3. The ventilating system of claim 1 including, additionally, damper means coacting with the exhaust duct for sealably closing the exhaust duct upon rise of temperature therein.

4. The ventilating system of claim 1 wherein the hood member (b) extends horizontally outwardly from the entry chamber side of the housing (a).

5. The ventilating system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of baffles (c) (i) include,

a first vertically oriented baffle extending substantially the width of the housing (a) and suspended from the upper portion of the entry chamber (c) to direct air downwardly as it enters said entry chamber (c), and

a second vertically oriented baffle extending substantially the width of the housing (a) parallel to the first baffle and rising from the bottom portion of the chamber (c) downstream of the first baffle to direct air upwardly and into the duct (e).

6. A ventilating system for drawing air from above cooking ranges and the like, comprising,

a. a vertically oriented, upstanding housing adapted for bottom mounting to a floor,

b. a hood member extending horizontally outwardly from the housing (a) to collect air for passage through the housing, the top of the hood member being substantially coplanar with the top of the housing thereby forming a counter,

c. an entry chamber within the upper portion of the housing (a) adjacent the hood member (b) with a port for reception of air from the hood member (b), said chamber having i. a plurality of baffles each extending substantially the width of the housing (a) to impart changes in flow pattern of the air,

ii. first nozzle means within the chamber (c) for imparting a spray of water across substantially the width of said chamber to extract materials entrained in air,

iii. second nozzle means disposed within the entry chamber (c) for imparting a spray of wash liquid to said chamber and proximities thereof, and

iv. drain means in the first chamber (c) for removing water and materials that collect in the bottom of said chamber,

d. an expansion chamber within the lower portion of the housing (a) to receive air from the entry chamber (c) and slow its movement, the chamber ((1) having greater volume than the chamber (c) and having a drain in the lower portion thereof for removing water and materials that collect in the bottom of the expansion chamber,

e. a duct providing pneumatic communication between the chambers (c) and (d), and

f. an air exhaust duct communicating with the expansion chamber and having damper means for sealably closing the exhaust duct upon rise of temperature therein.

7. The ventilating system of claim 6 wherein the plurality of baffles (c) (i) include a first vertically oriented baffle extending substantially the width of the housing (a) and suspended from the upper portion of the entry chamber (c) to direct air downwardly as it enters said entry chamber (c), and

a second vertically oriented baffle extending substantially the wdth of the housing (a) parallel to the first baffle and rising from the bottom portion of the chamber (c) downstream of the first baffle to direct air upwardly and into the duct (e). 

1. A ventilating system for drawing air from above cooking ranges and the like, comprising, a. a vertically oriented, upstanding housing adapted for bottom mounting to a floor, b. a hood member secured to the housing (a) for collecting air for passage through the housing (a), the top of the hood member being substantially coplanar with the top of the housing thereby forming a counter, c. an entry chamber within the upper portion of the housing (a) adjacent the hood member (b) with a port for reception of air from the hood member (b), said chamber having i. a plurality of vertically oriented baffles each extending substantially the width of the housing (a) to impart changes in flow pattern of the air, ii. nozzle means within the chamber (c) for imparting a spray of water across substantially the width of said chamber to extract materials entrained in the air, and iii. drain means in the chamber (c) for removing water and materials that collect in the bottom of said chamber, d. an expansion chamber within the lower portion of the housing (a) to receive air from the entry chamber (c) and slow its movement, the chamber (d) having greater volume than the chamber (c), e. a duct providing pneumatic communication between the chambers (c) and (d), and f. an air exhaust duct communicating with the expansion chamber.
 2. The ventilating system of claim 1 including, additionally, second nozzle means disposed within the entry chamber (c) for imparting a spray of wash liquid to said chamber and proximities thereof.
 3. The ventilating system of claim 1 including, additionally, damper means coacting with the exhaust duct for sealably closing the exhaust duct upon rise of temperature therein.
 4. The ventilating system of claim 1 wherein the hood member (b) extends horizontally outwardly from the entry chamber side of the housing (a).
 5. The ventilating system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of baffles (c) (i) include, a first vertically oriented baffle extending substantially the width of the housing (a) and suspended from the upper portion of the entry chamber (c) to direct air downwardly as it enters said entry chamber (c), and a second vertically oriented baffle extending substantially the width of the housing (a) parallel to the first baffle and rising from the bottom portion of the chamber (c) downstream of the first baffle to direct air upwardly and into the duct (e).
 6. A ventilating system for drawing air from above cooking ranges and the like, comprising, a. a vertically oriented, upstanding housing adapted for bottom mounting to a floor, b. a hood member extending horizontally outwardly from the housing (a) to collect air for passage through the housing, the top of the hood member being substantially coplanar with the top of the housing thereby forming a counter, c. an entry chamber within the upper portion of the housing (a) adjacent the hood member (b) with a port for reception of air from the hood member (b), said chamber having i. a plurality of baffles each extending substantially the width of the housing (a) to impart changes in flow pattern of the air, ii. first nozzle means within the chamber (c) for imparting a spray of water across substantially the width of said chamber to extract materials entrained in air, iii. second nozzle means disposed within the entry chamber (c) for imparting a spray of wash liquid to said chamber and proximities thereof, and iv. drain means in the first chamber (c) for removing water and materials that collect in the bottom of said chamber, d. an expansion chamber within the lower portion of the housing (a) to receive air from the entry chamber (c) and slow its movement, the chamber (d) having greater volume than the chamber (c) and having a drain in the lower portion thereof for removing water and materials tHat collect in the bottom of the expansion chamber, e. a duct providing pneumatic communication between the chambers (c) and (d), and f. an air exhaust duct communicating with the expansion chamber and having damper means for sealably closing the exhaust duct upon rise of temperature therein.
 7. The ventilating system of claim 6 wherein the plurality of baffles (c) (i) include a first vertically oriented baffle extending substantially the width of the housing (a) and suspended from the upper portion of the entry chamber (c) to direct air downwardly as it enters said entry chamber (c), and a second vertically oriented baffle extending substantially the wdth of the housing (a) parallel to the first baffle and rising from the bottom portion of the chamber (c) downstream of the first baffle to direct air upwardly and into the duct (e). 